Visitors To World’s Leading Travel Fair Get Early Look At American’s Next-Generation Business Class Cabin

Visitors to the world’s leading travel fair, the ITB, in Berlin, Germany (March 8-12, 2006) are getting an exclusive preview of the main features of American Airlines’ Next- Generation Business Class cabin. American, the world’s largest airline, will begin the process to modify the 767-300 aircraft this spring.

American’s Next-Generation Business Class features new lie-flat seats, a personal in-flight entertainment system with audio and video on demand, state-of-the-art cabin lighting and sleek, ergonomically designed overhead bins.

While American’s plans to introduce an all-new, redesigned Business Class cabin for international travel were announced in August 2005, this is the first time the airline has revealed details of what the next generation holds for its customers. American will officially unveil its new Business Class cabin and lie-flat seats at the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Convention and Exposition, July 16-19 in Chicago.

Enhancements to the Boeing 767-300 Business Class cabin are scheduled to be completed by early 2007. Previously, in August 2005, American also announced it would be installing its new Business Class seats on its Boeing 777 fleet beginning in 2007. American’s Boeing 767-300s operates most of the airline’s transatlantic services from cities across Europe as well as on selected routes within American’s network throughout the USA and Latin America.

The new Business Class seat, manufactured by Recaro, a leading specialist in aviation seating, offers passengers the flexibility to customize the comfort setting to their personal preference. This can be achieved by using either preset positions to sit up, recline or lie flat or to fine-tune comfort settings using separate backrest, leg rest and seat angle controls which allow an almost infinite flexibility of seat positions. There is also a memory setting so that passengers can easily return to a favourite seat position again and again throughout a flight. The foot and headrest also adjusts to individual preferences.

In another trendsetting design move, American’s Next-Generation Business Class seat has the ability to move forward while in the upright position. This allows each person to move the seat forward so they are offset from their fellow passengers for added privacy. Sliding forward also allows travelers to move closer to the work table.

The innovative tray table design has two separate tables – one drops down from the seat back, and a second deploys from the center console. The tables can be used separately or together to create one large work or dining surface.

The Next-Generation in-flight entertainment system provides a wide selection of feature movies, current news, music, games and television shows. The system is portable, allowing passengers to view it hands-free while it’s in the seat shell or to remove and place the unit in the best location given their chosen seat position. Passengers also receive a Bose QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Canceling headset to complete their audio or video sound experience. American will also introduce a newly designed amenity kit that doubles as a shoe bag as well as a cotton duvet.

“We know how important it is to our passengers to be comfortable on their international flights, whether they are working, enjoying a meal and a movie, or just relaxing,” said Craig Kreeger, Vice President Europe & Pacific for American Airlines. “Our new Business Class product will provide our customers with a comfortable and highly adjustable lie-flat seat, as well as a generous work space and state-of-the-art inflight entertainment, all of which will create a world-class Business Class experience.

“The new cabin enhancements on the Boeing 767-300s and the Boeing 777s will result in a consistent and highly competitive American product in the marketplace, and will deliver to American’s premium customers the products and services they value most.”

Kreeger added that, based on rave reviews from 777 First Class customers on the Flagship Suite product, American is making the investment to expand the Flagship Suites on the remaining 777s in 2007 to ensure passengers will have this product every time they fly on a 777.

About American Airlines
American Airlines is the world’s largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® regional airlines serve more than 240 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,900 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American’s award-winning Web site, www.americanairlines.co.uk, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalised news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve more than 600 destinations in over 135 countries and territories.

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